Prospect Info: 2021 NHL Draft Prospects

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MartyOwns

thank you shero
Apr 1, 2007
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Does NJ really have a surplus of talent anywhere? Maybe for bottom six forwards, but what will that bring back? An older more expensive bottom six forward? I don't see a real position of strength for NJ to deal for a real upgrade. I'd be in favor of packaging Zacha and Butcher for a better defender but with the flat cap would any team even be interested?

we just turned a guy who couldn't even make our bottom 6 into johnsson. fitz is very opportunistic, and we can trade the guys you mentioned (among others) while retaining salary to bring something good back where we need it the most.

i don't hate draft picks by any means, but at a certain point we're going to have to grab our balls and jump into the pool, significant shrinkage be damned
 

My3Sons

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we just turned a guy who couldn't even make our bottom 6 into johnsson. fitz is very opportunistic, and we can trade the guys you mentioned (among others) while retaining salary to bring something good back where we need it the most.

i don't hate draft picks by any means, but at a certain point we're going to have to grab our balls and jump into the pool, significant shrinkage be damned

I guess when they get closer to the TDL they can make the call on that. It's hard to know which way to lean right now. If they return from quarantine and play well and stay in the playoff hunt maybe they can leverage a couple of the young borderline NHL/prospect guys for a top six guy. If the team flounders with a compressed schedule and guys going cold (if Nico is laboring when he returns that might be the dagger for Palms and Gusev) I could see them try to sell off anyone approaching UFA and try again next season.
 
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Poppy Whoa Sonnet

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Jan 24, 2007
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Does NJ really have a surplus of talent anywhere? Maybe for bottom six forwards, but what will that bring back? An older more expensive bottom six forward? I don't see a real position of strength for NJ to deal for a real upgrade. I'd be in favor of packaging Zacha and Butcher for a better defender but with the flat cap would any team even be interested?

Both have to be protected in expansion which would make a trade unlikely, unless someone wanted to trade for them as expansion bait.
 
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TBF1972

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May 19, 2018
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RHD or bust! :)
this imo goes too far. i have stated rhd as the most glaring hole in the prospect pipeline, but reaching for positional need isn't a sound plan.
the x-factor in the equation is ty smith. in the off-season there was talk here, if he might not be the exception to the rule, who plays better on his off-hand. now he got an opportunity as a ld and looked ok so far. if he can shift from left to right without losing effectiveness, it's a great asset to have. if our d-core shifts from subban and vatanen to bahl, okhotiuk, shak or misyul, one of the open slots might simply be covered by smith. with smith and severson on the top pairing more depth would still be needed on the right side, but not as urgently.
 

TBF1972

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May 19, 2018
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Does NJ really have a surplus of talent anywhere? Maybe for bottom six forwards, but what will that bring back? An older more expensive bottom six forward? I don't see a real position of strength for NJ to deal for a real upgrade. I'd be in favor of packaging Zacha and Butcher for a better defender but with the flat cap would any team even be interested?
nj has a surplus of cap space and ed protection slots. they just have to make sure not to take on older players on rich long term contracts. keeping cap flexibility is mandatory in this times. but the devils can offer a home for short term cap dumps, if the right compensation is attached to it.
next off-season the last year of loui eriksson and jett woo for future considerations might be an option to explore. it allows vancouver to resign their core players and the devils get a rhd prospect, who is closer to the nhl, than a draft pick would be.
 

My3Sons

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nj has a surplus of cap space and ed protection slots. they just have to make sure not to take on older players on rich long term contracts. keeping cap flexibility is mandatory in this times. but the devils can offer a home for short term cap dumps, if the right compensation is attached to it.
next off-season the last year of loui eriksson and jett woo for future considerations might be an option to explore. it allows vancouver to resign their core players and the devils get a rhd prospect, who is closer to the nhl, than a draft pick would be.

Isn't Eriksson a large cap hit? Like $5 or $6 million for the one season? Unless the real cash is much lower that's a lot to pay for a maybe prospect. Every year on the main boards there are numerous proposals for taking on cap dumps for picks and prospects yet in real life they are fairly rare. It's hard to justify paying millions on a dice roll even for the billionaire owners. Most teams satisfy themselves with paying less for expensive NHL talent, like the Murray deal, it seems. I'd think a trade for a RHD has to be on the horizon with Vats on a one year deal and Subban having only one year left after this one, but I'm not sure a prospect is going to work with multiple holes on the right side of the defense.
 

Offseason Champs

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Normally I’d agree with getting the prospects and picks but I think it’s time to start looking for hockey trades instead of pushing for the future. I like the idea of trying to stock up on 2022 picks however so I’d be down with that idea. This season is just a win/win for us. Maybe we can sneak into the playoffs or we can get another decent mid round player. Playing with house money
 

TBF1972

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Isn't Eriksson a large cap hit? Like $5 or $6 million for the one season? Unless the real cash is much lower that's a lot to pay for a maybe prospect. Every year on the main boards there are numerous proposals for taking on cap dumps for picks and prospects yet in real life they are fairly rare. It's hard to justify paying millions on a dice roll even for the billionaire owners. Most teams satisfy themselves with paying less for expensive NHL talent, like the Murray deal, it seems. I'd think a trade for a RHD has to be on the horizon with Vats on a one year deal and Subban having only one year left after this one, but I'm not sure a prospect is going to work with multiple holes on the right side of the defense.
6m cap hit, 1m signing bonus, 3m base salary
if they are willing to part with more to get rid of him all the better. it was actually just an example of a known cap dump contract and a rhd prospect, which was once liked by STI
 

StevenToddIves

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May 18, 2013
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Draft Prospect Profile:

C Matthew Beniers, University of Michigan NCAA

I'm going to try to get the draft capsules going on the Devils 2021 draft thread, and there's no better player to start with than Matty Beniers. Why? Because he's the most can't miss talent in the entire class, he has absolutely no flaws in his game, and he's entering my 2021 ratings at #1 overall.

The 2021 class notoriously lacks a traditional #1 overall pick. There is no generational McDavid or Matthews, nor is there a player with discernibly mind-blowing offensive tools like a Lafreniere or Hughes. There are probably six to eight players in the mix for #1 overall. So, why do I have Beniers at the top of my list? Well, because he's... perfect.

Beniers is an explosive skater, which is his finest traditional tool. He accelerates quickly, stops on a time, features tremendous edges and reaches outstanding top speeds. Combined with size which I'd call "ideal" (6'1-175), the skating truly stands out. The rest of his physical tools grade out as "excellent" to "very excellent" without being truly elite -- Beniers is accomplished when it comes to passing vision, shooting, puck handling and strength/physicality without being truly exceptional in any one singular tool.

Where Beniers jumps to the top of my rankings is with his truly exceptional set of intangibles -- this kid features truly extraordinary compete level, hockey IQ and awareness which skyrocket his physical tool kit into another stratosphere entirely. I have always asserted that the "intangible" skills of compete/intelligence/awareness not only tie together a player's physical tools, but they accentuate them. Take Beniers hands -- while they are certainly very good, his awareness of where defenders are and how they are approaching him enables Beniers to make quick, deft evasive moves which make him look like an elite puck-handler. His intelligence with the puck and ability to quickly process the play enables Beniers to make terrific passes all game long, while his compete level has him all over the puck like a hawk. Beniers is also about as good of a defensive center as you will ever see at his age -- a rare draft eligible who can shut down the opposition while putting up big numbers on the scoresheet. He simultaneously makes his teammates better and his opposition worse.

Beniers proved his mettle with a tremendous WJC as the youngest player on Team USA's gold-medal winning squad. He seemingly did not have a bad shift, and whenever the Americans were lagging all it took was a Beniers shift -- he gives the impression of being everywhere at once -- to pick up the entire team energy. Matt Beniers is just that type of player -- even when he's not scoring, he's a huge factor in helping his team win. I've watched him a bunch and never seen him have what I would call "an off game". He's just always contributing in some valuable way.

It needs to be said that I do not consider Matt Beniers to ever be a "lead the league in scoring" type of player that you'd expect from a #1 overall center. But I see him as the next in the school of a Toews/Bergeron/Scheifele type who puts up PPG numbers while playing exceptional in every aspect of the game. He's the guy you'll count on up or down one late, he'll play big numbers 5x5, on the PP and PK. You'll just always want him out there, which is why Matthew Beniers will certainly be in the mix for the #1 overall pick.
 

glenwo2

LINDY RUFF NEEDS VIAGRA!!
Oct 18, 2008
51,936
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Draft Prospect Profile:

C Matthew Beniers, University of Michigan NCAA

I'm going to try to get the draft capsules going on the Devils 2021 draft thread, and there's no better player to start with than Matty Beniers. Why? Because he's the most can't miss talent in the entire class, he has absolutely no flaws in his game, and he's entering my 2021 ratings at #1 overall.

The 2021 class notoriously lacks a traditional #1 overall pick. There is no generational McDavid or Matthews, nor is there a player with discernibly mind-blowing offensive tools like a Lafreniere or Hughes. There are probably six to eight players in the mix for #1 overall. So, why do I have Beniers at the top of my list? Well, because he's... perfect.

Beniers is an explosive skater, which is his finest traditional tool. He accelerates quickly, stops on a time, features tremendous edges and reaches outstanding top speeds. Combined with size which I'd call "ideal" (6'1-175), the skating truly stands out. The rest of his physical tools grade out as "excellent" to "very excellent" without being truly elite -- Beniers is accomplished when it comes to passing vision, shooting, puck handling and strength/physicality without being truly exceptional in any one singular tool.

Where Beniers jumps to the top of my rankings is with his truly exceptional set of intangibles -- this kid features truly extraordinary compete level, hockey IQ and awareness which skyrocket his physical tool kit into another stratosphere entirely. I have always asserted that the "intangible" skills of compete/intelligence/awareness not only tie together a player's physical tools, but they accentuate them. Take Beniers hands -- while they are certainly very good, his awareness of where defenders are and how they are approaching him enables Beniers to make quick, deft evasive moves which make him look like an elite puck-handler. His intelligence with the puck and ability to quickly process the play enables Beniers to make terrific passes all game long, while his compete level has him all over the puck like a hawk. Beniers is also about as good of a defensive center as you will ever see at his age -- a rare draft eligible who can shut down the opposition while putting up big numbers on the scoresheet. He simultaneously makes his teammates better and his opposition worse.

Beniers proved his mettle with a tremendous WJC as the youngest player on Team USA's gold-medal winning squad. He seemingly did not have a bad shift, and whenever the Americans were lagging all it took was a Beniers shift -- he gives the impression of being everywhere at once -- to pick up the entire team energy. Matt Beniers is just that type of player -- even when he's not scoring, he's a huge factor in helping his team win. I've watched him a bunch and never seen him have what I would call "an off game". He's just always contributing in some valuable way.

It needs to be said that I do not consider Matt Beniers to ever be a "lead the league in scoring" type of player that you'd expect from a #1 overall center. But I see him as the next in the school of a Toews/Bergeron/Scheifele type who puts up PPG numbers while playing exceptional in every aspect of the game. He's the guy you'll count on up or down one late, he'll play big numbers 5x5, on the PP and PK. You'll just always want him out there, which is why Matthew Beniers will certainly be in the mix for the #1 overall pick.

Let's get ALL the Talented Centers. :sarcasm:
 
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StevenToddIves

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Let's get ALL the Talented Centers. :sarcasm:

Fortunately, I don't foresee the Devils having to much of a chance at the top 3 overall pick you'll likely need to get Beniers this year. For me, his ideal landing spot would be with Detroit -- a team with a great GM on a serious upswing, in a terrific hockey market.
 
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Guttersniped

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Dec 20, 2018
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Fortunately, I don't foresee the Devils having to much of a chance at the top 3 overall pick you'll likely need to get Beniers this year. For me, his ideal landing spot would be with Detroit -- a team with a great GM on a serious upswing, in a terrific hockey market.
You aren’t looking forward to him playing for Rangers? *sigh*
 
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StevenToddIves

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May 18, 2013
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Draft Prospect Profile:

LD Owen Power, University of Michigan NCAA
Is it possible that the top 2 overall picks both come from the Michigan Wolverines? Owen Power is certainly going early as, despite lacking a singular elite skill, Power possesses a combination of enormous size (6'5-210), excellent skating and very good hockey acumen which scouts and general managers absolutely covet.

While Power is taking some criticism for lacking the high-end puck skills which normally define a defender being considered as a top 3 overall pick, I feel much of this flak is unfair. The 2021 draft, after all, is a draft which lacks a bona fide top overall pick. A team can hardly go wrong with Power, and his combination of size and skating is rare, and he's a darned good player on either side of the puck. Power is not one of those big defenders who is "a great skater for his size", he's a great skater... period. With that wingspan and those wheels, he's an automatic match-up problem for opposing forwards and very difficult to beat one-on-one. He covers a lot of ice fast, and when that is combined with very good awareness, positioning and smarts? Well, you've got a defensive impact player on your hands.

Power also features a shot which is, ah... powerful (sorry, I had to) enough to beat NCAA goaltenders clean from the point. Though he lacks the puck skills of a Quinton Hughes or Cale Makar, Power is extremely adept offensively -- smart and clean with his passes, though not overly creative, with very capable hands and possession/movement qualities. I think he will settle into the 40-50 point range at his NHL peak, while offering top end play in his own zone and providing his coach and teammates an automatic match-up impossibility for the opposition. Ultimately, I think you're looking at a defenseman who will be all-situations excellent, though he will be more first-pairing caliber defensively and more second-pairing caliber on the offensive end.

From a Devils standpoint, Power certainly makes sense, as he combines defensive abilities on the level of a Bahl or Okhotyuk with offensive upside shy of Ty Smith but perhaps a bit higher than Mukhamadullin. However, he is likely to go very high in the 2021 draft and the Devils have great depth at the LD position.
 

Goptor

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Jun 30, 2016
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NJ just has to narrowly miss the playoffs after a good run and then win the lotto so they can get Hughes and life can go on appropriately.

Or the league changes the rules so playoff teams can win the lottery. Then does the lottery before the playoffs so we know that a playoff team will get first overall.

Then throw the playoff series so they have the best odds of getting the pick???
 
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TBF1972

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i am really interested to see the depth for rd prospects and in which range they are expected to be drafted. bpa still applies. but getting out of the next draft without a rd prospect again wouldn't be ideal.

the devils have plenty of wing prospects and are deep at ld. center isn't the deepest position in the prospect pool, but extremely young at the nhl level. goalie is another position of need, as there is no notable prospect in the pipeline behind blackwood, who looks better by the day.
 

thethinglonger

Castron & Crew
Dec 1, 2014
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i am really interested to see the depth for rd prospects and in which range they are expected to be drafted. bpa still applies. but getting out of the next draft without a rd prospect again wouldn't be ideal.

the devils have plenty of wing prospects and are deep at ld. center isn't the deepest position in the prospect pool, but extremely young at the nhl level. goalie is another position of need, as there is no notable prospect in the pipeline behind blackwood, who looks better by the day.

Unfortunately at this point there doesn't seem to be too much high-end RHD in this draft. I'll have to look back on some footage to look for some potential gems, but at this point I'd say my RHD rankings would be:

1) Brandt Clarke (potential top-10 pick)
2) Corson Ceulemans (potential top-25 pick)
3) Oscar Plandowski (2nd/3rd round pick)
4) Roman Schmidt (probable 3rd round pick)
5) Scott Morrow (3rd/4th round pick)
6) Theo Agnesved (3rd/4th round pick)

This is still preliminary as there's plenty of time until draft day but my overall impressions of the RHD in this draft class have been...a bit meh unfortunately. There's a big drop-off in potential after the first two names on this list.
 

Nubmer6

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Unfortunately at this point there doesn't seem to be too much high-end RHD in this draft. I'll have to look back on some footage to look for some potential gems, but at this point I'd say my RHD rankings would be:

1) Brandt Clarke (potential top-10 pick)
2) Corson Ceulemans (potential top-25 pick)
3) Oscar Plandowski (2nd/3rd round pick)
4) Roman Schmidt (probable 3rd round pick)
5) Scott Morrow (3rd/4th round pick)
6) Theo Agnesved (3rd/4th round pick)

This is still preliminary as there's plenty of time until draft day but my overall impressions of the RHD in this draft class have been...a bit meh unfortunately. There's a big drop-off in potential after the first two names on this list.

I'd be perfectly happy drafting a crew of stay-at-home RHD in the 2nd/3rd round like we did on the left with Okhotiuk, Misyul, and Vukojevic. We already have a potential offensive RHD in the system with Walsh, and have Smith on the left. Obviously we could use a couple more, but I don't feel like we're so depleted of offensive defensemen that we need to reach.
 
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StevenToddIves

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May 18, 2013
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i am really interested to see the depth for rd prospects and in which range they are expected to be drafted. bpa still applies. but getting out of the next draft without a rd prospect again wouldn't be ideal.

the devils have plenty of wing prospects and are deep at ld. center isn't the deepest position in the prospect pool, but extremely young at the nhl level. goalie is another position of need, as there is no notable prospect in the pipeline behind blackwood, who looks better by the day.

In the 2021 draft class, the strongest and deepest position is, without question, LD. It's almost uncanny how much stronger and deeper the class is at LD than RD. Three LD are in the mix for the top 3 picks -- Power, Lambos and Hughes. There is one RD who can stake that claim, Brandt Clarke. Other LD who could crack the top 20 include Edvinsson, Svozil, Lukashevich, Chayka and Kirsanov. I'd say the only other RD with a shot at the top 20 are Ceulemens and Morrow.

Keep in mind this is a weird season and there will be a lot more discrepancy among the consensus with draft picks than in most years. But I think it's safe to say that, while 2021 is a decent year at RD, it's not the banner season it is for LD.
 

StevenToddIves

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May 18, 2013
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Unfortunately at this point there doesn't seem to be too much high-end RHD in this draft. I'll have to look back on some footage to look for some potential gems, but at this point I'd say my RHD rankings would be:

1) Brandt Clarke (potential top-10 pick)
2) Corson Ceulemans (potential top-25 pick)
3) Oscar Plandowski (2nd/3rd round pick)
4) Roman Schmidt (probable 3rd round pick)
5) Scott Morrow (3rd/4th round pick)
6) Theo Agnesved (3rd/4th round pick)

This is still preliminary as there's plenty of time until draft day but my overall impressions of the RHD in this draft class have been...a bit meh unfortunately. There's a big drop-off in potential after the first two names on this list.

Brandt Clarke has to be of great interest to the Devils, especially with his brother Graeme in the Devils organization and the need for a top-pairing RD (Walsh and McCarthy are likely lower-pairing RD). Unfortunately, I'd say Clarke is legitimately in the mix for #1 overall, and I just don't see the Devils drafting high enough to have a shot.

Ceulemans is extremely intriguing in that he has a terrific combination of size (6'2-195) and high end speed, and his offensive tool kit is completely stocked. But it has to be concerning that he is very weak defensively, even in the AJHL. I wouldn't say he's as mind-numbingly bad in his own end as a Poirier or Grans last year, but he's a long long long way off from being an NHL defenseman. It's very difficult to justify a first round pick on a defenseman who does not defend. But I agree with you that in a modern NHL with many teams desperate at RD and relying on advanced statistics, Ceulemans could hear his name called on day one of the 2021 draft.
 
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